Menís Soccer Tops Marist, 2-1

The Canisius College men's soccer team earned its first MAAC victory of the 2012 season, posting a 2-1 win at Marist. With the win, the Griffs improve to 8-4-2 on the season and 1-3-0 in MAAC play, while the Red Foxes drop to 5-8-1 and 1-4-0 against league foes.

Sophomores Jon Cary and Eric DeHond led the Griffs in the winning effort. Cary posted a career-best three points on the night on a goal and an assist, while DeHond recorded seven saves in his first career start at Canisius, including one on a late penalty kick.

"I thought our team played well tonight," said Canisius head coach Dermot McGrane. "It was a tough game with two teams that are desperate for a conference victory. We badly needed a win and it was nice to see us score on a couple of set pieces. We had a couple of chances to extend our lead that we missed but Eric DeHond came up big with a save on a late penalty kick. He made a great stop and it was a big play at that stage in the contest where we were able to gain a lot of confidence from."

Both teams were able to get on the scoreboard quickly in the contest. Freshman Alex De Carolis netted his second goal of the season for Canisius just 3:55 into the game. The defender volleyed in a corner kick from Cary to give the Griffs the early 1-0 advantage.

Marist answered right back and knotted the game at one in the sixth minute of play. Off a free kick, Cesar Ceja had his shot deflect off a Canisius defender and go into the opposite side of the net.

Cary helped the Griffs reclaim the lead in the 39th minute of play, netting his first collegiate goal. The Griffs took advantage of a loose ball off a corner kick when senior Regan Steele tapped it toward the sophomore and Cary buried the shot for the 2-1 advantage.

The Canisius lead held into the closing minutes of the contest when Marist was awarded a penalty kick with just over 10 minutes remaining. Josh Faga sent his shot toward net but DeHond made a diving stop to his left to preserve the Griffs' 2-1 advantage. The sophomore netminder made one final save in the contest to seal his first Division I victory in his first start at Canisius.

Marist finished the contest with a 17-10 advantage in shots and a 12-4 edge in corner kicks. Anthony Sokalski recorded four saves in the losing effort.

Canisius looks to continue its winning ways on Sunday, playing at Siena. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

Game Notes: Canisius' eighth win of the year tied the school record for wins in a season against Division I competition, matching the mark set in 2007 ... The Griffs are also just one win shy of the overall school mark, set in 1980 ... Cary had one point in his first 32 career games prior to Friday ... DeHond is a transfer from NAIA Houghton ... Marist now holds an 11-5-1 advantage in the all-time series but Canisius is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings.